Afghanistan

Saffron is seen as a viable alternative to illegal opium poppies. (Photo: Khalid Nahez/IRIN)

Afghan Saffron Venture Hit by Taleban

Insurgents accused of pressuring Herat farmers to switch to opium poppy in order to levy illicit revenues.

10 Dec 10

Afghan National Security Forces, assisted by international forces, discovered 1,600 pounds of hashish during patrol in Helmand earlier this year. (Photo: ISAF)

Hashish Trade Resurgent in Afghan North

After opium was successfully eradicated, cannabis took its place in Balkh province.

10 Dec 10

Villagers in western Afghanistan say new local defence forces create threats, not security. (Photo: ISAF/Laura K. Smith)

Afghan Village Militias Accused of Abuses

Local defence units said to be turning on villagers rather than providing security.

3 Dec 10

Hunger Strike Over Afghan Jail Conditions

Inmates of prison in northern province complain of inhumane levels of overcrowding.

2 Dec 10

Mazar-e Sharif used to be regarded as safe, but businessmen here and in other parts of northern Afghanistan are increasingly at risk of being kidnapped. (Photo: Daniella Peled)

Kidnapping on Rise in Afghan North

Businessmen increasingly targeted in crime wave that experts warn will harm economic prospects.

26 Nov 10

Afghan Runaways Flee Forced Marriages

Women often jailed for trying to escape coercive arranged matches.

26 Nov 10

Common myna, a species valued by Afghans more as a supreme pest-control agent than for its ability to talk. (Photo: Yotam Orchan, Assaf Shwartz)

Birdlife Disappears From Afghan Landscape

Farmers concerned that poaching of predator species allows pests to get out of control.

20 Nov 10

Kabul's Stray Dogs Create Havoc

Municipality struggles to control packs of feral dogs plaguing residents and risking public health

18 Nov 10

Marjah residents say they remain vulnerable to Taleben intimidation, despite a coalition campaign to drive them out of the area earlier this year. (Photo: ISAFMedia)

Marjah Civilians Take Up Arms Against Taleban

Villagers say they have pushed out the insurgents, enabling them to get medical care and send their children to school.

16 Nov 10

Laying a road in Kapisa province. In this case the work is being funded and led by the Provincial Reconstruction Team. (Photo: Tech. Sgt. Joe Laws/US Air Force)

Kapisa Road Gets Taleban Blessing

Whether as forced concession or new sign of flexibility, insurgents now decide which development projects can go ahead.

9 Nov 10

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